Roma v Empoli 2-1: With Heart and Determination (Stats)

The giallorossi collect three points at the stadio Olimpico playing an unattractive football and suffering Empoli’s pace. Ranieri starts with a win leading his beloved team toward a Champions League spot.

The Lupi are hungry but also sick. Today’s performance in the eternal city confirms that Roma players have many physical and game development problems. Claudio Ranieri had tried to motivate them in the past few days, but albeit they collected vital three points, there’s much more to do to catch Milan and Inter before the end of the season.

Today, the numbers do not give the exact proportion of the game developed on the field. Although Ranieri’s men have globally held greater possession of the ball (54% v 46%) Iachini‘s side have seriously put in trouble the giallorossi with high pressure on a very weak backline formed by Marcano, Jesus, Florenzi, and Santon.

3 shots on target for Roma are not enough to excite the fans at the stadio Olimpico. A very good performance for Justin Kluivert, the Dutchman seemed to be very strong-willed and tenacious and Claudio Ranieri certainly appreciated his efforts.

Not a great performance for Zaniolo who had a calf issue during the week. The Italian trequartista will definitely be a point of reference for the new Roma coach as well but he needs to get a little rest to avoid physical consequences.